Many home and business owners might find a pest lurking around their property and try to determine what it is. In quite a few cases, the pest will be a bed bug, one of the most common nuisances in the United States and around the world. A bed bug is a small insect that is usually 5-7mm long and 2-3mm wide. Image 1 is a picture of a bed bug that shows some of their more defining characteristics, including their flat, oval-shaped body and muddy brown color. Unlike some other pests which are called bugs, a bed bug is a true insect with three separate sections that form its body: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. ​

Image 2 is a picture which demonstrates just how little the typical bed bug is. The picture shows a bed bug standing on a dime, the smallest commonly circulated coin in the United States. Despite their size, bed bugs can be a real problem for property owners. They often live in groups and are parasitic, feeding on the blood of humans and animals. Their bites are red, swollen bumps that can be extremely irritating and itchy. When a bed bug goes to feed, it will often choose to eat from people who are sleeping nearby. People can find their bites in groups or straight lines, which are caused by a bed bug being disturbed during the feeding process. If someone moves and disturbs it, a bed bug will scurry over and bite someone in a new spot.

Bed bug bites do not transmit diseases. People will need to worry about the irritation and can apply an antiseptic cream to soothe any itchiness or lingering problems caused by the bite. In some cases, it’s possible for someone to suffer an allergic reaction to the bite. If this is the case, people can take antihistamines to deal with the swelling. If the reaction is severe, they should contact a medical professional immediately to receive treatment.People who find a pest which matches these pictures should look into eradication methods immediately. Bed bugs don’t carry diseases, but they can be annoying and prevent people from sleeping at night. A bed bug doesn’t invade a property because it’s dirty, but is actually a common threat as people are able to travel more and can accidentally pick up the eggs anywhere they go. A professional pest controller can identify where bed bugs are living and create a comprehensive treatment plan to fully eliminate the pests before they get out of hand.